Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-19
TIE PADDOCK MURDER TRIAL.
The Defense Cha, ged With Buying Some
of the Jurors.


of the Jurors.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa, April 18.-There
were but few persons in the courtroom
when the Judge asked the HaddoCk Jury
TO report. Foreman E. P Webster said :
"Eleven agreed, but one stood somewhat
stubbornly against the large majority"
Juror O'ConnelI, farmer living in Liber-
ty township, arose and replied to this re
mark in feeling manner and said he did
not wish to be considered a stubborn
man, but had taken an oath before God
and man to honestly determine the case
as far as he was concerned, and he en-
deavored to regard that obligation. If he
were to remain in the jury's room a
month he could not and would not change
his opinion. Mr.. O'Connell's eyes filed
with tears and his voice JremDled from
emotion. No one Who heard him could
doubt the sincerity of his motive. Judge
Lewis thereupon discharged the jury from
further consideration of the case
the first ballot stood ten for acquit-
tai and two for conviction. Sub
sequent ballots stood as finally
shown. It is said that every possible
argument was exhausted upon Juror
~ SOHHC41 W lhOuOC I'LL ~ CuduSC
his vote, but he would not do so, nor
could he favor q verdict of murder in the
first degree because he was opposed to
capital punishment. After the discharge
of the jury the foreman went to Judge
Lewis and openly expressed the belief
that O'COnnell was bought up by the
state. Judge Lewis responded that he
believed the Juror was honest in his con-
Ill L.
reporters for the Daily News and Inter
Ocean to-day before his departure for
home. The following interview was taken
by both reporters:
"Have you heard any unpleasant COM
ments on your aCtiOn?" was asked.
"NO, | have heard nothing of that sort.
If anything has been said it has not
reached my ears"
"FTiends of Arensdorf are censuring
Judge Lewis for dlscharging the jury so
soon, would it have made any difference
in the verdict if the court had sent you
back?"
"NO, sir, my mind was not made up in
a minute. If the court kept US there five
months my vote would have been the
same"
"The story is circulated that the Jurors
had whisky in the jury room is that
true?"
az did not see any in the jury room,
but those who wanted whisky had it with
them in their pockets, and drank 1t dur
ing the progress of the trial"
"Had you any idea how the jury stood
before the case was suomitted?"
81 was given to understand before the
case closed that the defense knew the
jury would stand eleven to one for &C
quittal, and that l held the key to the
situation"
CHOW did they know that?"
Mr.. O'Connell exclaimed Indignantly:
81 had not expressed my opinion one
way or the other. They must have got
their information from other sources"
perhaps they polled the jury in ad-
vance. Mr.. Webster told Judge Lewis
you must have been bought up by the
prosecution. What have you to say TO
that?"
81 have been careful TO avoid the states
attorney during the progress of the trial
| always passed them without 50 much
as saluting them"
"Would not there be more likelihood
of bribery on the other side?''
~ don't want to imphcate any one,"
said Mr.. O'Connell, significantly.
"Were you offered bribe?"
81 was asked to name my price"
care you willing TO say for publication
that you were asked to name your price2"
az ann
"Wss that offer made in behalf of the
prosecution or the defense7"
at was in behslf of the defense"
"Who made the offer?"
81 decline to say at present, as l do
not wish to get him into trouble"